Controlled dispensing system and method
An electronic device comprising: one or more processors; a radio transceiver; memory storing a unique serial number identifying the electronic device; pairing circuitry configured to communicatively couple, using the radio transceiver, the electronic device with an external device distinct from the electronic device; first electronic circuitry configured to perform a plurality of operations of the electronic device; and activation circuitry configured to activate and deactivate the first electronic circuitry; wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to (i) detect, using the pairing circuitry, a successful pairing of the electronic device with a first external device; and (ii) in accordance with the detection of the successful pairing, activate, using the activation circuitry, the first electronic circuitry.
1 . An electronic device comprising:
one or more processors;
memory;
communication circuitry configured to communicatively couple the electronic device with a dispensing machine housing the electronic device while the electronic device is inside the dispensing machine;
first electronic circuitry configured to perform a plurality of operations of the electronic device; and
activation circuitry configured to activate the first electronic circuitry;
wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
receive, using the communication circuitry, an identifier associated with a user or mobile device of the user from the dispensing machine prior to the electronic device being dispensed by the dispensing machine;
receive, using the communication circuitry, a pairing request as part of a use session initiated by the user subsequent to the electronic device being dispensed by the dispensing machine to the user; and
activate, using the activation circuitry, the first electronic circuitry in accordance with a determination that the pairing request corresponds to the user or the mobile device associated with the identifier.
2 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
power circuitry; and
a heating element;
wherein the plurality of operations include:
powering the heating element using the power circuitry; and
vaporizing a liquid solution using the powered heating element.
3 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
power circuitry electrically coupled to a power contact integrated in packaging of the electronic device;
wherein the power contact is configured to receive power from the dispensing machine housing the electronic device.
4 . The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the power contact integrated in the packaging of the electronic device is configured to receive power from a power contact of a shelf of the dispensing machine on which the electronic device is disposed.
5 . The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the power contact integrated in the packaging of the electronic device is configured to receive power from one or more solar cells integrated into the packaging of the electronic device.
6 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein:
the communication circuitry includes a wireless transceiver; and
receiving the identifier includes receiving a communication from a wireless transmitter of the dispensing machine via the wireless transceiver.
7 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein:
the communication circuitry includes a wired transceiver; and
receiving the identifier includes receiving a communication from a wired communication circuit of the dispensing machine via the wired transceiver.
8 . The electronic device of claim 7 , wherein the wired communication circuit is integrated into a shelf on which the electronic device is disposed.
9 . A method of operating an electronic device, the method comprising:
establishing, using communication circuitry of the electronic device, a communication connection with a dispensing machine housing the electronic device while the electronic device is inside the dispensing machine;
receiving, via the communication connection, an identifier associated with a user or mobile device of the user from the dispensing machine prior to the electronic device being dispensed by the dispensing machine;
receiving, using the communication circuitry, a pairing request as part of a use session initiated by the user subsequent to the electronic device being dispensed by the dispensing machine to the user;
activating, using activation circuitry of the electronic device, first electronic circuitry of the electronic device in accordance with a determination that the pairing request corresponds to the user or the mobile device associated with the identifier; and
performing a plurality of operations of the electronic device using the activated first electronic circuitry.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of operations include:
powering a heating element of the electronic device using power circuitry of the electronic device; and
vaporizing a liquid solution stored in the electronic device using the powered heating element.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the electronic device includes power circuitry electrically coupled to a power contact integrated in packaging of the electronic device; and
the method further comprises receiving, via the power contact, power from the dispensing machine housing the electronic device.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein receiving power via the power contact integrated in the packaging of the electronic device includes receiving power from a power contact of a shelf of the dispensing machine on which the electronic device is disposed.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein receiving power via the power contact integrated in the packaging of the electronic device includes receiving power from one or more solar cells integrated into the packaging of the electronic device.
14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein receiving the identifier includes receiving a communication from a wireless or wired transmitter of the dispensing machine via a wireless or wired transceiver of the communication circuitry.
15 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by an electronic device, the one or more programs including instructions for:
establishing, using communication circuitry of the electronic device, a communication connection with a dispensing machine housing the electronic device while the electronic device is inside the dispensing machine;
receiving, via the communication connection, an identifier associated with a user or mobile device of the user from the dispensing machine prior to the electronic device being dispensed by the dispensing machine;
receiving, using the communication circuitry, a pairing request as part of a use session initiated by the user subsequent to the electronic device being dispensed by the dispensing machine to the user;
activating, using activation circuitry of the electronic device, first electronic circuitry of the electronic device in accordance with a determination that the pairing request corresponds to the user or the mobile device associated with the identifier; and
performing a plurality of operations of the electronic device using the activated first electronic circuitry.
16 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of operations include:
powering a heating element of the electronic device using power circuitry of the electronic device; and
vaporizing a liquid solution stored in the electronic device using the powered heating element.
17 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the electronic device includes power circuitry electrically coupled to a power contact integrated in packaging of the electronic device; and
the one or more programs further include instructions for receiving, via the power contact, power from the dispensing machine housing the electronic device.
18 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein receiving power via the power contact integrated in the packaging of the electronic device includes receiving power from a power contact of a shelf of the dispensing machine on which the electronic device is disposed.
19 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein receiving power via the power contact integrated in the packaging of the electronic device includes receiving power from one or more solar cells integrated into the packaging of the electronic device.
20 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein receiving the identifier includes receiving a communication from a wireless or wired transmitter of the dispensing machine via a wireless or wired transceiver of the communication circuitry.